A speculation of more interest, to many of our 
enquiring readers, will be found in the singular ir- 
ritability of the stamens of the Barberry. The 
stamens of Parnassia palustris, we have shown to 
possess a voluntary action. Those of Lopezia coro- 
nata, a mechanical one. But the stamens of the 
Barberry have a direct irritability, which is excitable 
almost at pleasure. The six stamens, which sur- 
round the pistil, in the centre of the flower, will be 
observed to lie back underneath the curved summit 
of the petals, as under a canopy. If, with a pin or 
other sharp instrument, one of these be touched at its 
base, near the pistil, it will instantly spring forward, 
with a quick motion, to the pistil. The same may 
be effected on each of the stamens separately. In a 
short time they will resume their wonted repose, 
when the experiment may be repeated. 
If there be any who are insensible to the continual 
evidence of omniscient care, w hich meets us w herever 
we turn, instances like this must surely amaze their 
apathy. Here the anthers claim protection of the 
petals ; but in such situation their farina could not, 
with certainly, meet the stigma, or summit of the 
pistil ; therefore, the stamens are made capable of 
motion. Depositories of nectar are placed at their 
base, inviting insects to sip its sweets, by doing 
which they fulfil the design of providence. They 
irritate the filaments, which carry forward the an- 
thers with a jerk, their farina is scattered, the flow- 
er fertilized, the seed becomes perfected, and the 
means of propagation secured. 
We hope to resume these enquiries under a newly- 
introduced, sweet fruited, species of Barberry. 
Hort. Kew. 2, v. 2, 313. 
